Clinical Competency Checklist for Nurses

Valid nursing license / certification is confirmed

Required internal training has been completed

Employee understands unit-specific protocols

Employee is familiar with escalation and reporting lines

Employee demonstrates professional appearance and hygiene

Employee arrives prepared for duty and on time

Overall readiness rating (1–5)

Comment on professional readiness

Photo of badge / certification / readiness evidence if required

Hand hygiene is performed correctly before and after patient contact

PPE is selected correctly for the situation

PPE is worn and removed correctly

Aseptic technique is followed during relevant procedures

Sharps are handled and disposed of safely

Waste segregation rules are followed correctly

Isolation / transmission precautions are understood and applied

Work area is kept clean and safe

Infection control competency rating (1–5)

Comment on infection prevention practice

Photo of PPE / hand hygiene / workstation if needed

Patient identity is verified using required identifiers

Consent / patient understanding is checked where applicable

Initial patient assessment is performed correctly

Vital signs are measured accurately

Abnormal findings are recognized appropriately

Pain assessment is completed correctly

Changes in patient condition are escalated promptly

Nurse demonstrates safe patient observation practices

Number of patient assessments directly observed

Comment on patient assessment competency

Photo of assessment record / observation chart if appropriate

Medication order is reviewed before administration

Patient identity is verified before medication administration

Medication allergies are checked

Right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time are followed

Medication preparation is accurate and organized

High-risk medications are handled according to protocol

Controlled medication procedures are understood and followed

Medication administration is documented correctly

Adverse reaction / medication error escalation process is understood

Medication administration competency rating (1–5)

Comment on medication safety

Photo of medication cart / label / documentation if allowed

Basic clinical procedures are performed safely and correctly

Wound care / dressing change technique is correct

Injection / medication delivery technique is correct

IV line care / infusion monitoring is performed correctly

Specimen collection is performed correctly

Catheter / tube care is performed according to protocol

Patient positioning and mobility assistance are safe

Fall prevention measures are applied when needed

Pressure injury prevention measures are understood and used

Clinical procedures competency rating (1–5)

Comment on clinical skills

Photo evidence of setup / procedure preparation if required

Care provided is documented completely and on time

Entries are accurate, legible, and compliant with policy

Electronic medical record system is used correctly

Medication and treatment records are updated correctly

Incident / event reporting is completed correctly when required

Confidentiality and data protection rules are followed

Documentation competency rating (1–5)

Comment on documentation quality

Photo of non-confidential workflow evidence if required

Nurse communicates clearly with patients

Nurse communicates respectfully with colleagues

Handover is structured and complete

Critical information is escalated without delay

Patient education is provided clearly when needed

Nurse responds appropriately to questions and concerns

Teamwork and communication competency rating (1–5)

Comment on communication and teamwork

Nurse recognizes signs of patient deterioration

Emergency call / escalation process is understood

Basic life support / emergency response role is understood

Emergency equipment location is known

Nurse remains calm and follows protocol in urgent situations

Incident escalation competency rating (1–5)

Comment on emergency preparedness

Photo of emergency equipment / station if required

Nurse can use essential department equipment correctly

Equipment checks are completed before use

Unsafe or faulty equipment is reported immediately

Supply levels are monitored and shortages are escalated

Patient care area is organized and safe

Equipment handling competency rating (1–5)

Comment on equipment and environment management

Photo of equipment / room condition if needed

Nurse follows internal policies and clinical protocols

Nurse maintains patient dignity and respectful care

Boundaries and ethical standards are observed

Confidential information is protected appropriately

Nurse accepts feedback and applies corrections

Nurse demonstrates accountability for assigned tasks

Professional conduct rating (1–5)

Comment on conduct and compliance

Any competency gap identified during assessment

Additional training required

Corrective action / coaching plan defined

Target completion date for improvement actions

Follow-up assessment required

Priority level of development need (1–5)

Supporting photo / document if needed

Employee meets required competency standard for current role

Employee is approved for independent work

Employee requires supervision / additional monitoring

Employee requires retraining before full approval

Overall competency score (1–100)

Final assessor comments